korean unification studies

The recent passing of Kim Dae Jung and the coverage surrounding the event has once again sparked an interest in discussion on unification policy. Kim Dae Jung’s Sunshine Policy, followed by Roh Moo Hyun’s policy of engagement with the North sparked frank discussion of how to move forward with North-South relations with strong opinions held by all sides. In particular, Kim’s patronage of a policy that actively engaged the North, finally showed that efforts could be made to build bridges between the two governments and peoples without necessarily having to share ideological or moral views.

However, with the arrival of the right-wing Lee Myoung-Bak government, it seemed that the space for discussing engagement with the North narrowed, and once again those who proposed ideas of engagement were labelled ‘leftists’ or North Korean ‘sympathisers’.

With Kim Dae Jung’s passing, and the recent efforts by the North to apparently reach out to the South, there may once again be a space to discuss views that oppose those of the current incumbent government. Whatever view one may hold in regards to Southern policy toward the North, all must agree that the return of frank and public discussions about future policy can only be a good thing.